Bottle and like crate



April 20, 1943. A. T. FAULKNER BOTTLE AND LIKE CRATE .IIIIII 3Sheets-Sheet l IIIIIIII m. .w/N Il u 4 ,lll-III Filed Sept. 20. 1939 PI'20, 1943. A. 'l'.Y FAULKNER I 2,317,044

BOTTLE AND LIKE CRATE Filed Sept. 20, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 20,.1943. A. T. FAULKNER 2,312,044

BOTTLE AND LIKE CRATE Filed sept@ 2o, 1939 s sheets-sheet s A ORNEYSPatented Apr. 20, 1943 BOTTLE AND LIKE CRATE Arnold T. Faulkner, BattleCreek, Mich., assignor to United Steel and Wire Company, Battle Creek,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 20, 1939, SerialNo. 295,698

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in bottle and like crates.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a bottle or like crate in which the parts most likelyto be injured in use are so constructed and assembled with the coactingparts that they may be easily renewed by relatively unskilled workmen.

Second, to provide a crate bottom unit or assembly which may befurnished to the user as a separate element to be installed by the useras a substitute for the bottom with which the crate was originallyprovided.

Third, to provide a partition unit for bottle crates which may beassembled as a unit and easily installed either at the factory orfurnished as a separate unit to be installed in making repairs to adamaged crate.

Fourth, to provide a structure having these advantages in which theparts are economical to produce and assemble and at the same time arestrong and rigid when assembled.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a bottle crate embodying the features ofmy invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the assembled bottom unit.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig.5.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4--4 of Fig. 5 illustratingcertain of the steps in assembling a bottom unit with the frame and sidewall portions of a crate.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View in section on line 5-5 of Fig, 4illustrating certain steps in the assembling of one of the partitionmembers.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form or embodiment of theinvention, the modification being particularly in the matter ofanchoring the bottom.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the embodimentshown in Fig. 6.

My improvements are particularly adapted for the type of bottle crateillustrated in Patent 1,690,418 issued November 6, 1928, to L. W.Macomber in which the various parts entering into the crate are formedof wire or stock of suitable gauge and secured together by welding. Incommercial use, these crates are subject to severe use and frequentlycareless handling with a result that the bottoms are broken or rendereduseless, sometimes the partition members forming the bottlecompartments, In this structure of the Macomber patent, these parts arewelded in position and to replace them or repair a crate of thischaracter it is necessary to return the crate to the factory. In view ofthe fact that the crates are not designed to be nested the expense ofreturning them to the factory plus the cost of repair is frequentlyprohibitive.

The main feature of my present invention is to provide a structure inwhich the bottom and partition members are assembled as units and can bereadily removed for purposes of repair and other units substituted, thiswork being done by unskilled workmen and without necessitating return ofthe crates to the factory and, further, my improvements provide astructure which permits the very rapid and economical manufacture of theunits and their assembly as a factory or manufacturing advantage.

'Ihe embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a bottom frame l,top frame 2, and vertically spaced intermediate frames 3, 3. Theseframes are continuous, being formed of heavy wire or light rod stock ofsuitable gauge conformed and the ends of the stock being Weldedtogether. Upright slats or side and end wall members 4 are weldedpreferably to the inner sides of these frame members.

Corner members 5 of somewhat heavier stock are provided, these cornermembers being arranged in downwardly diverging relation and preferablyformed of loops of wire, the bight ends 6 extending above the top frameto provide stacking lugs-that is, these lugs are engageable within thebottom frame of a superimposed crate for holding the crates in stackposition or alignment. These corner members 5 preferably have inwardlyinclined portions l at their lower ends, these portions being below thebottom intermediate frame member 3, see Fig. 3. This serves twofunctions-one is that it spaces the top and intermediate membersinwardly relative to the bottom frame member so that clearance isprovided when the crates are arranged side by side with the bottomframes in Contact, and second, both the downwardly diverging feature andthese inclined portions l serve additional functions in the assemblingand xedly securing of the bottom in position.

The assembled bottom unit comprises two sets of bottom membersdesignated by the numerals 8 and 9, in the embodiment illustrated theset 8 being the longitudinal members and the set 9 the transversemembers. TfIowever, it will be understood that these crates aresometimes square and that the terms longitudinal and transverse are onlyused as a matter of convenience in describing the parts. These sets ofbottom members are arranged in crossed relation :and welded at theircrossing points as indicated at Ill, see Fig. 5. The bottom membersterminate in eyes II which extend beyond the uprights suiliciently toreceive the tie or retaining rods.` I2.

The bottom assembled unit is inserted with its members above and restingupon the bottom frame and preferably in a somewhat elevated position asindicated by dotted lines at I3 in Fig. 3. The retaining rods I2 arethen inserted through the eyes. These retaining rods I2 are formed withloops Ill at one end and they are inserted to bring their loops intoengagement with one ofthe upright corner members, the other end I5 ofthe retainingY member projecting beyond the other corner member for thatside of the crate. By reference to Fig. 3, it will be noted that in thiselevated position at I3 the retaining rod does no-t contact the uprightmembers so that the rod may be easily inserted. After they are inserted,they are pushed downwardly as shown by full lines in Fig. 3 which bringsthe retaining rods into en gagement with the uprights thereby nrmlyanchoring the bottom unit against lateral movement. In this position,the second hook or lo-op indicated at I5 in Fig. 4 is bent around theadjacent corner upright, thus locking the rods in position. The upwardlyinclined relation of the corner members prevents these hooks or loops ofthe retaining rods from sliding upward on the members with which theyare engaged and the bottom is thus eiectively anchored in position.

The partition members comprise sets of parallel spaced members I'I andI8 disposed in crossed relation and welded toV each other at theircrossing points as indicated at Iii. These members terminate indownwardly facing loops 20 adapted to be hooked over the intermediateframe members as shown by full lines in Fig. 5 and clamped therearoundas shown by dotted lines at' The longitudinal members 8 of the bottomare.

preferably disposed in spaced pairs positioned centrally relative to thecompartment-that. is, a row of compartments so that a bottle arranged inthe compartment is evenly supported by a pair of the bottom members.

These bottom members and partitionunits mayV be very economicallyvmanufactured, the welding operations being simple and they can berapidly assembled with the wall or body portion of the crate. In theevent of damage to the bottom or partition unit such as to render repairnecessary or advisable, the units ma1,7 be readily disassembled andreplaced by new units. In the event it is desired to repair a cratel ofthe typeV shown in the Macomber patent in which the partition and bottommembers are welded in place, these members can be pried or knocked ofi`at their welding points and the bottom and partition described assembledwith the body portion of the crate and this may be done, as pointed outby persons of little mechanical skill or experience.

In the embodiment o my invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the outerlongitudinal members of the bottom designated 8i are provided withoutturned arms or end portions 82 terminating in eyes II. Thisarrangement leaves the corners of the crate free from obstruction toreceive the positioning lugs Ii when the crates are stacked. In thisembodiment, the retaining rods IRI corresponding to the rods I2 of theembodiment heretofore described terminate at at least one end inupwardly turned arms I22 having downwardly facing loops |23 at the endsthereof engaging the intermediate frame member 3. The bottom ispositioned and the retaining rods inserted and the loops |23 engagedover or formed around the intermediateframe members, thus not onlylocking the bottoms inY position but preventing upward movement thereof.

I have illustrated and described my improvements-as embodiedv in a milkbottle crate. I have not illustrated my improvements in otherembodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed thatthis disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adaptmy improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l.. In a bottle crate, the combination of bottom, top andY verticallyspaced intermediate frame members, upright side and end members weldedto the inner sides of said frameV members, including downwardlydiverging corner members disposed at the corners oi the crate and weldedto the inner sides of said frame members, the portions of saidcornermembers below the bot.- tom intermediate frame member being inclinedoutwardly, a botto-m unit fiXedly associated with said frame andupright' members comprising-sets of-y spaced parallel` members disposedin crossed' relation and welded together at theirY crossing points anddisposed above and resting upon said bottom frame member, said bottommembers extending from the interior oi the crate outwardly and`terminating in eyes disposed outwardly beyond said upright members',individual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on the outer sidesof said upright members and having reta-iningmembers at the ends thereofengageable with certain of said upright members, the diverging relationof said corner members acting to prevent upward movementY ofV saidretaining rods engaged therewith, and vertically spaced partition unitsdisposed interiorlyA oiV the crate, each comprising setsof spacedparallel members disposed in crossed relation and' welded together attheir crossing points, the ends oi?V said partition members terminatingin loops engaged with andgclosed upon the intermediate frame. members,said partition units coacting` toA .provide a plurality of bottlereceiving compartments.

2. Iny a bottle'crate, the combination of bottom,` top and verticallyspaced intermediate frame mem-bers, upright sideV and end. memberswelded` to the inner sides of said frame members, includingV cornermembers disposedat the `corners of the crate and welded to the innersides of said. frame members, a botto-m. unit xedly associated with saidframe' and upright members compris,- ing sets of spaced parallel membersdisposed in crossed relation and welded together at their crossingpoints and disposed above and resting upon said bottom frame member,said bottom members extending from the interior of the crate outwardlyand terminating in eyes disposed outwardly beyond said upright members,individual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on the outer sidesof said upright members and having retaining members at the ends thereofengageable with certain of said upright members, and vertically spacedpartition units disposed interiorly of the crate, each comprising setsof spaced parallel members disposed in crossed relation and weldedtogether at their crossing points, the ends of said partition membersterminating in loops engaged with and closed upon the intermediate framemembers, said partition units coacting to provide a plurality of bottlereceiving compartments.

3. In a bottle crate, the combination of bottom, top and verticallyspaced intermediate frame members, upright side and end members weldedto the inner sides of said frame members, including corner membersdisposed at the corners of the crate and welded to the inner sides ofsaid frame members, a bottom unit iixedly associated with said frame andupright members comprising sets of spaced parallel members disposed incrossed relation and welded together at their crossing points anddisposed above and resting upon said bottom frame member, said bottommembers extending from the interior of the crate outwardly andterminating in eyes disposed outwardly beyond said upright members,individual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on the outer sidesof said upright members and having retaining members at the ends thereofengageable with certain of said upright members, and vertically spacedpartition units disposed interiorly of the crate, each comprising setsof spaced parallel members disposed in crossed relation and weldedtogether at their cro-ssing points, the ends of said partition membersterminating in loops engaged with and closed upon the intermediate framemembers, said partition units coacting to provide a plurality of bottlereceiving compartments, the upper set of bottom members being arrangedin pairs positioned centrally relative to said compartments.

4. In a crate, the combination of frame members, upright side and endmembers welded to the inner sides of said frame members, includingdownwardly diverging corner members disposed at the corners of the crateand welded to the inner sides of said frame members, the portions ofsaid corner members below the intermediate frame member being inclinedoutwardly, a horizontal unit fixedly associated with said frame andupright members comprising sets of spaced parallel members disposed incrossed relation and welded together at their crossing points anddisposed above and supported by a frame member, said horizontal unitmembers extending from the interior of the crate outwardly andterminating in eyes disposed outwardly beyond said upright members, andindividual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on the outer sidesof said upright members and having loo-ps at the ends thereof engagingsaid corner members, the diverging relation of said corner membersacting to prevent upward movement of said retaining rods engagedtherewith.

5. In a crate, the combination of frame members, upright side and endmembers welded to the inner sides of said frame members, includingdownwardly diverging members'welded to the inner sides of said framemembers, a horizontal unit xedly associated with said frame and uprightmembers comprising sets of spaced parallel members disposed in crossedrelation and welded together at their crossing points and disposed aboveand supported by a frame member, said horizontal unit members extendingfrom the interior of the crate outwardly and terminating in eyesdisposed outwardly beyond said upright members, and individual retainingrods arranged through said eyes on the outer sides of said uprightmembers and having retaining loops at the ends thereof engageable withsaid downwardly diverging members, the diverging relation of saidmembers acting to prevent upward movement of said retaining rods engagedtherewith.

6. In a crate, the combination of frame mem bers, upright side and endmembers welded to said frame members including corner members disposedat the corners of the crate and welded to said frame members, ahorizontal unit iixedly associated with said frame and upright memberscomprising sets oi spaced parallel members disposed in crossed relationand welded together at their crossing points and disposed above andsupported by a frame member, said horizontal unit members extending fromthe interior of the crate outwardly and terminating in eyes disposedoutwardly beyond said upright members, and individual retaining rodsarranged through said eyes on the outer sides of said upright membersand having loops at the ends thereof engaging certain of said uprightmembers.

7. In a crate, the combination of frame members, upright side and endmembers welded to said frame members, including corner members disposedat the corners of the crate and welded to said frame members, theportions of said corner members below the intermediate frame memberbeing inclined inwardly, a horizontal unit fixedly associated with saidframe and upright members comprising sets of spaced parallel membersdisposed in crossed relation and welded together at their crossingpoints and disposed above and supported by a frame member, saidhorizontal unit members extending from the interior of the crateoutwardly and terminating in eyes disposed outwardly beyond said uprightmembers, and individual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on theouter sides of said upright members and having loops at the ends thereofengaging certain of said upright members.

8. In a bottle crate, the combination of bottom, top and verticallyspaced intermediate frame members, upright members welded to said framemembers, a bottom unit comprising sets of spaced members disposed incrossed relation and secured together at their crossing points, saidbottom members extending from the interior of the crate outwardly andterminating in eyes disposed out- Wardly beyond said upright members,individual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on the outer sidesof said upright members and having retaining loops at the ends thereof,and vertically spaced partition units disposed interiorly of the crate,each comprising sets of spaced parallel members disposed in crossedrelation and welded together at their crossing points, the ends of saidpartition members terminating in downwardly facing upwardly offset loopsengaged with and closed upon the intermediate frame members, saidpartition units coacting to provide a plu.- rality of bottle receivingcompartments, the upper set of bottom members being arranged in pairspositioned centrally to said compartments.

9. In a bottle crate, the combination of bottom, top and intermediateframe members, upright members welded to said frame members, a bottomunit comprising sets of spaced members disposed in crossed relation andsecured together at 'their crossing points, said bottom membersextending from the interior of the crate outwardly and terminating ineyes disposed outwardly beyond said upright members, individua retainingrods arranged through said eyes on the outer sides of said uprightmembers and having loops at the ends thereof engaged with certain of theupright members, and a partition unit disposed interiorly of the cratecomprising sets of spaced parallel members disposed in crossed relationand Welded together at their crossing points, the ends of said partitionmembers terminating in loops engaged with and closed upon theintermediate irame member.

10. In a bottle crate, the combination oi bottom and top frame members,upright members Welded to said frame members, a horizontal unitcomprising sets ci spaced members disposed in crossed relation andsecured together at their crossing points, said members extending fromthe interior of the crate outwardly and terminating in eyes disposedoutwardly beyond said upright members, and individual retaining rodsarranged through said eyes on the outer sides of said upright membersand having loops at the ends thereof engaged with certain of the uprightmembers.

11. In a bottle crate, the combination of bottom and top frame members,upright members secured to said -trame members, a horizontal unitcomprising sets of spaced members disposed in crossed relation andsecured together at their crossing points, said members extending fromthe interior of the crate outwardly and terminait` ing in eyes disposedoutwardly beyond said upright members, and individual retaining rods arranged through said eyes on the outer sides of said upright members andin contact therewith and having retaining loops at the ends thereof.

12. A crate comprising top, bottom, and an intermediate frame member,uprights secured thereto, a bottom unit comprising sets of spacedmembers disposed in crossed relation and secured together at theircrossing points, said bottom members extending from the interior of thecrate outwardly and terminating in eyes disposed outwardly beyond saidupright members, and retaining rods arranged through said eyes on theouter side of said upright members and in Contact therewith and havingupwardly oiset ends terminating in loops engaged with said intermediateframe member.

13. A crate comprising top, bottom, and an intermediate frame member,uprights secured thereto, a bottom unit comprising sets of spacedmembers disposed in crossed relation and secured together at theircrossing points, said bottom members terminating in eyes extendingoutwardly beyond said upright members, and retaining rods arrangedthrough said eyes on the outer side of said upright members and incontact therewith and having retaining engagement with said intermediateframe member.

i4. A crate comprising top, bottom, and an intermediate frame, uprightssecured thereto, a bottom unit comprising sets of spaced membersdisposed in crossed relation and secured together at their crossingpoints, said bottom members terminating in eyes, and retaining rodsarranged through said eyes and having retaining engagement with saidintermediate frame.

ARNOLD T. FAULKNER.

